Announcements

In keynote remarks at the WMACCA Annual Meeting, Justice Antonin Scalia explained his approach to constitutional interpretation -- “originalism” -- and challenged the arguments of proponents of a “living Constitution that it has to grow with the society it governs or it will become brittle and snap. You believe that?”
“The...

The International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR Institute), a nonprofit think-tank and alliance of global corporations, law firms, scholars, and public institutions dedicated to the principles of conflict prevention and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), announces four new additions to its elite board of directors....

The Supreme Court of Florida heard an oral argument regarding e-discovery rule amendments that were proposed on October 13,2011 by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA) and Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ).
FDLA and LCJ submitted these proposed amendments in an official comment that detailed necessary changes to Rules 1.280 and 1.380 of...

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) announced today key initiatives of its newly adopted Strategic Plan. The fiscal year 2013-2018 plan charts the direction for ACC’s growth and continued success over the next five years and will serve as the blueprint for achieving ACC’s mission and solidifying its vision. Through clearly...

Expanding technology use, expectations to be more active in developing corporate strategy and an emphasis on shareholder engagement are driving the corporate governance agenda, according to the 2011 Board Practices Report from the Deloitte Center for Corporate Governance and the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals.
The...

The vanishing jury trial is perhaps one of the most important issues facing the civil justice system today. Civil trials have declined in federal courts from 12 percent in 1984 to less than 1 percent in 2010. Statistics from state courts, though more difficult to obtain, generally show the same trends. The issue has been widely studied, and while...

The DRI Executive Committee and Board of Directors announced a new program that offers free seminar attendance to claims executives. The program is similar to the successful free tuition plan for corporate counsel, and it is designed to increase the presence of claims executives at DRI events. The following paragraphs outline the operation of the...

An American Bar Association project has been selected to administer a $270,000 grant to support state panels that promote access to civil justice for low-income and disadvantaged people.
Under the 18-month grant from the Public Welfare Foundation to the ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, more than half of the funds will go...

The New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA) has announced it is seeking nominations of distinguished non-judicial personnel from the New York State courts in Manhattan and distinguished non-judicial personnel from the Federal District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, who personify a commitment of service to...

Pro Bono Partnership, a nonprofit legal assistance provider serving Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York nonprofits, has named its 2011 Volunteers of the Year. These outstanding volunteers were recognized at a reception hosted by Hogan Lovells at Hogan’s Manhattan office. Merck & Co.; Jackson Lewis; Patricia A. Bowen, UnitedHealthcare...

The New York County Lawyers’ Association will present a CLE program on Friday, May 4, titled “Advice from the Experts: Successful Strategies for Winning Commercial Cases in New York State Courts.” It will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the New York County Lawyers’ Association, 14 Vesey Street, in...

The Environmental Law Institute is pleased to announce the election of Edward L. Strohbehn Jr. as the new Board Chairman. His legal career includes substantial government and public interest-sector experience. He co-founded and served as a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council (1970-1977). He was executive director of the Council on...

The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL®) and The NAWL Foundation® released the results of their sixth annual Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms. The Survey is the only national study of the nation’s 200 largest law firms which annually tracks the progress of women lawyers at all levels of private...

The San Diego ACC chapter has planned its eleventh Annual Black & White Ball on Saturday, March 3, with a reception and silent auction beginning at 6:00 p.m. and dinner and live auction starting at 7:30 p.m. This evening of dancing and casino games will keep the more than 700 expected attendees well entertained in the Elizabeth Ballroom of...

The Environmental Law Institute is pleased to announce the election of Edward L. Strohbehn Jr. as its new board chairman. His legal career includes substantial government and public interest-sector experience. He co-founded and served as a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council (1970-1977). He was executive director of the Council on...

Members of Congress conducted a hearing in December to consider the merits of reforming the nation’s civil justice system and the need for amendment of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure amid mounting concern about the costs and burdens of litigation in the modern information age. The judiciary subcommittee hearing, “The Costs and...

For the past 23 years, Hollingsworth LLP has hosted its acclaimed, CLE-accredited seminar focusing on the defense of complex litigation, drawing on the firm's vast experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, toxics and environmental litigation. Year after year, in-house counsel and corporate leaders return for provocative...

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) announced the establishment of a new membership committee, the Sports & Entertainment Committee. This group will serve members with an interest in sports and entertainment law and will focus on such areas as contracts, licensing, sponsorships, endorsements, intellectual property and technology....

As you read in the November issue of LMABriefs, the success of the LMA Southeastern Chapter — with its expansive city-group model — has led to the evolution and approval of a new LMA Texas Chapter. Previously part of the Southeastern Chapter, the new Texas Chapter will serve more than 100 members, with city groups in Austin...

To help lawyers and judges navigate the burgeoning and challenging electronic discovery landscape, the New York State Bar Association has issued guidelines for best practices that offer extensive practical advice on e-discovery issues in state and federal courts in New York.
E-discovery is the preparation, preservation, collection, processing, review...

Amid predictions that “the percentage of lawyers practicing in solo and small firm settings will continue to increase for the foreseeable future,” the Boston Bar Association Task Force on the Future of the Profession released a report calling on the BBA to expand its programming for this rapidly growing population. The 15-person task force was...

Saying that “a culture of environmental sustainability is becoming an important indicator of professional excellence for lawyers and law firms,” Boston Bar Association president Lisa C. Goodheart announced that she has appointed a 19-person Task Force on Environmental Sustainability. The Task Force will be co-chaired by Michelle N. O...

The New York County Lawyers’ Association's Professional Ethics Committee has issued Ethics Opinion 744, the first ethics opinion in New York State to interpret a new amendment to Rule 6.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which addresses a lawyer's involvement in law reform activities.
The prior rule had required a lawyer to disclose...

The New York County Lawyers’ Association’s (NYCLA) Federal Courts Committee recognized Hon. John F. Keenan, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, by presenting him with NYCLA’s Edward Weinfeld Award at the annual Luncheon Honoring the federal courts.
The award was presented by Hon. Kevin Thomas...

Government and public interest lawyers burdened by student loan debt can apply for grants through the New York State Bar Association.
To be eligible for the Steven C. Krane Special Committee on Student Loan Assistance for the Public Interest grants, attorneys must have practiced for at least five years. Priority will be given to civil...